The Austin Deaf Toros took on an eagerly waiting Tulsa Hawks of Oklahoma who were looking to pry open the strangle hold the Deaf Toros have had on SWBAD. The Toros have won three straight since 2006 and as far back as 2004 an Austin team has won SWBAD. The Toros refuse to let go of its reins.
Once again the Toros jumped out to a quick start. Anton Jackson went straight to work early on hitting a layup in the lane to start off the scoring. Tulsa was without their biggest star in Tracy Willis who is now fighting professionally with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Willis poses a massive threat around the basket which was definitely missing from this Tulsa team. Jackson kick started the Toros in the early going. He had a hand in the Toros first 12 points. During the early stretch he was 3-3 from the three point line tallying 10 points including a four points play.
During the next spurt Darnell Woods got into the act. Initially Woods took a back seat as Jackson ran amok of the Hawks. Woods then streaked his way to an eight point burst of his own including a 25ft bank shot to start the run. The Toros built a quick 15 point lead with the Hawks needing a spark to keep them in the ball game but the Toros would continue to deny them.
The Hawks made a quick run of their own after the Toros built a 25 point lead with 10 minutes left in the first half. Edwin Alexander led the charge with consecutive three pointers in transition. The Hawks kept chomping at the bit but were no match for the Toros speed and depth. Termiea Bowers and Luendran Hubbard teamed up in the backcourt and pretty much hosted their own track meet. Both guards used their quickness to get easy baskets on fast breaks infusing a spark in the Toros. Between the two point guards they combined 15-19 from the field for the game. The Toros took a 45-26 lead into the half.
In the second half the Toros kept the pressure on. Woods became a distributor and repeatedly found Yo Moore and Jackson for a variety of baskets. Moore took advantage of his opportunities finishing 4-8 from the field including a couple of misses at the tin cup. Moore said “I was surprised by the many opportunities I got down there. Most of the time I’m down there to clean up and collect garbage points. The guys were finding me and I made the most of my opportunities.” Moore is the hometown boy playing in familiar surroundings.
The Toros placed four players in double figures. Jackson was 12-15 from the field including a perfect 5-5 from the three point line finishing with 29. Hubbard was 9-10 from the field and 18 points. Bowers 6-9 laying in 13 and 5 assist and Woods finished with 11 points and 9 assist. For the game the Toros shot 59 percent from the field on 38-64 shooting which included 25 assist.
The Toros will have a rematch of last year’s final against Mississippi who presented the Toros with a bit of a challenge last year in Shreveport, La.
